SI ranks 2012 NFL Draft - Molk not so good
Overrated: David Molk, Michigan -- Molk is considered the top center in the country by a number of scouts, yet in our opinion there are better senior centers in his conference. Molk lacks size as well as strength in the middle of the line and is constantly getting pushed aside by opponents.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/tony_pauline/08/29/offensive.prospects/index.html#ixzz1WcjeMsDF
But he is a good college player
August 31st, 2011 at 12:17 PM ^
HUH? I don't get it.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:21 PM ^
I think alot of scouts think that Molk is a Jeff Saturday type center, small but plays smart, thats why they rate him high. Watching the Colts over the years, I don't think Peyton would have become as successful without the help of Saturday.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:21 PM ^
That's all I can figure.
August 31st, 2011 at 1:45 PM ^
That's what I'm thinking. I think Molk let's D-linemen take themselves out of plays quite a bit by using a step back and then shifting the rusher's momentum to push them where he wants them. Look at the first play in the O-line summary on the main page to see this. At first glance it looks like he's being pushed back until you realize he's opening a huge hole and that he meant to ride the guy out of the play.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:23 PM ^
Overrated: Tony Pauline
August 31st, 2011 at 12:23 PM ^
Sweet. We must already be only 8 months away from the draft.
Someone explain to me the value and merit this article has on NFL scouts/GMs/coaches.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:30 PM ^
stupid article
everyone in his top picks including Luck could blast his ACL in any game.
Make a top NFL draft list after the bowl games.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:24 PM ^
Tony Pauline thinks Denard Robinson's overall speed and acceleration need work.
August 31st, 2011 at 4:43 PM ^
Tony Pauline punches dolphins and eats kittens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:25 PM ^
weak?? he benches 500 pounds. and he nearly 6'4
August 31st, 2011 at 12:41 PM ^
He is more like 6'2" everywhere I have seen including standing next to his teamates. That is short for an NFL center. Strength wise Molk is pretty awesome though.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:45 PM ^
But saying he lacks strength is a bit strange.
Regardless, I think this is the best possible article to come out at this time. Molk already has a raging fire of intensity going inside, and this will only serve to turn up the dial.
According to the team pages on ESPN.com:
Starting center for the Patriots is 9-year veteran Dan Koppen, listed at 6-2 and 296.
Starting center for the Saints is 13-year veteran Olin Kreutz, listed at 6-2 and 292.
Seems to me Molk is easily within range of those physical attributes.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:25 PM ^
Lacks size? What is he 290lbs? He's also a beast in the weight room. It's not like he can't put on a few pounds. This IS great motivation though if someone can put this in his locker. He's got a year to dominate and the draft will take care of itself.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:26 PM ^
I still don't see why molk has treated the media so unkind in the past...
August 31st, 2011 at 12:32 PM ^
This writer must be one of those guys that said not to waste a draft pick on Tom Brady because he was too slow at the combine. Seriously? It's a pocket quarterback - his job is to be a statue back there and NOT run.
NFL scouts are far from infallible. In that 2000 draft, only 13 of the first 31 picks ever became probowlers. From rounds five and on alone (including undrafted players), there were 11 future probowlers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_NFL_Draft.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:41 PM ^
certain players just don't fit with certain teams and schemes
I think molk can find a place in the NFL...the lions have an undersized center
August 31st, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^
Oh, right...I ran out of toilet paper and wiped my ass with it.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:40 PM ^
Dom Riola is 6'1 295 and has been a starting center for a decade. Jeff Saturday is one of the best in the league and he's 6'2 295.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:43 PM ^
I think Molk will play in the NFL but 6'1" or 6'2" is below average for a starting center in the NFL.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:43 PM ^
I remember when Justin Boren was the number two overall center likely to be drafted going into his senior season. Yeah.
August 31st, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^
err I mean, Justin Boren wasn't a center. Yeah.
August 31st, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
"better centers in his conference..." is a touch misleading. yeah, brewster is considered by many as the best in the nation, so yeah, being the 2nd best in the big ten this year isn't exactly a knock on the guy's talent.
lacks strength? isn't he on mike martin's level in the weight room?
August 31st, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^
The Colts will be looking to take a center this year in the draft. Seems like Molk would be a great replacement for Saturday.
August 31st, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^
Michigan fans have a tendency to overrate their own players. There were plenty of people on this board who thought Alan Branch should be a 1st rounder, that Donovan Warren would be a superstar, etc.
Rather than getting fired up about what one "scout" says, let's just see what happens on the field and in April's draft.
August 31st, 2011 at 1:51 PM ^
There was a time during the season where mock drafts had him going as high as top 10.
August 31st, 2011 at 2:49 PM ^
Wai-wai-wait. Are you saying fans tend to overrate the players on their favorite team? You sonabitch, I don't believe it.
September 1st, 2011 at 6:47 AM ^
Aaaaaand, Donovan Warren would've been a superstar, if only he stayed one more year at Michigan. Alas, now we'll never know...
August 31st, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^
After their overhyped OSU article and this, they're barely above ESPN in my books. Yahoo! Sports is the best.
August 31st, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^
I wouldn't put too much faith in an article about the draft before this season has even begun. Maybe 3/4 of the way through the season it may have some merit
August 31st, 2011 at 1:28 PM ^
is the anit-Fred Jackson.
August 31st, 2011 at 1:49 PM ^
But with more hyperbole
August 31st, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^
"The hell with SI"
that is all
August 31st, 2011 at 2:17 PM ^
is not undersized for center. For tackle yes, center no.
August 31st, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^
Tony Pauline's pornstache.
August 31st, 2011 at 2:56 PM ^
needs to ask Molk what he thinks of Pauline.
August 31st, 2011 at 4:06 PM ^
I didn't want to say anything, but I was thinking Molk was a total wimpy thing, as well. Yep, he's truly the Urkel of Big 10 O-linemen. It's amazing his neck is strong enough to support the helmet.
August 31st, 2011 at 4:33 PM ^
Is he getting pushed to the side or is he constantly reach blocking?
August 31st, 2011 at 7:23 PM ^
Molk got a ton of penalty flags last season. I've never felt he was as good as Brian and the community here believe he is.